On homer sprints and Mom's advice

Venable got back in the game after talking to his mother

Here are some of the notable quotes from around Major League Baseball this week:

"I got back into it because my mom saw the opportunities that it gave my dad and some of my teammates. She thought that if you're an athlete and able to make the adjustments and pick up the game, you might have a chance.

"As I got older, I was a little more mature and ready for that challenge. I was 19 when I was a sophomore. It was tough for me breaking back into it."

--Will Venable, Padres outfielder, on why he started to play baseball again while at Princeton after giving it up in high school to concentrate on basketball.
(MLB.com)

"The first time I hit one out of the park, I jogged around the bases, and it felt really awkward. It felt like it took too much time."

--A's infielder Adam Rosales on why he sprints around the bases after hitting a home run.
(Oakland Tribune)

"He came off of it so well. We watched him all Spring Training. The first thing we watched for was to see how the ball was coming out. That passed the test. The ball was coming out nice. All his breaking pitches had nice sharpness to them. Then, we just kind of evaluated his command, and his command has been unbelievable.

"It's like he hasn't missed a step. With those two things working for him, the decision was pretty easy."

--Toronto pitching coach Bruce Walton on the decision to make pitcher Shaun Marcum the Blue Jays' Opening Day starter.
(MLB.com)

"Ultimately, at the end of the day, it's not up to me, but I think I'd pitch a little bit sooner than that. I feel good, so I want to keep going, keep pushing the envelope."

--Ted Lilly, who has been rehabbing, on his desire to break camp with the Cubs.
(Chicago Sun-Times)

"I know I'd much rather catch him than try to hit against him."

--Cleveland catcher Mike Redmond, a former member of the Twins, on Fausto Carmona.
(MLB.com)

"If you look at how he's thrown the ball, he's done exactly what he came here to do. Right now that [fifth slot] is where we're pitching him."

--Giants manager Bruce Bochy on the spring performance of veteran pitcher Todd Wellemeyer, which won him a rotation spot..
(San Francisco Chronicle)

"I usually leave the ballpark feeling pretty good -- win, lose or draw. It's a great job to have, and it's a great situation to be in."

--Veteran Jamie Moyer on enjoying his job as a Phillies pitcher.
(MLB.com)

"I just try and go out there and basically just play and not worry that I need to hit more home runs because of the position. If I start to think about trying to hit more home runs, they are not going to come. If I do hit a home run, that is great."

"It means a lot for the fans, the organization, but for the team, it means even more. He's our No. 3 hitter. He's a model of consistency. He never really goes through any real bad times. You always know what you are going to get from him. He's so important to this team."

--Justin Morneau, on the long-term deal signed by teammate Joe Mauer.
(MLB.com)

"It's good to know he's going to be here after this year. I'll have a chance to play with him in 2011 when I'm back and he won't be a free agent, which is nice. Just seeing the way this organization has gone, it looks like they are setting the platform to be competitive for a long time. It's nice to see, and I hope to be a part of this organization past the 2011 season."

--Twins closer Joe Nathan, who is out for all of the 2010 season, on the new long-term deal signed by teammate Joe Mauer.
(MLB.com)

"I felt it right after I slid. When I started running, I felt it again, so that's why I pulled up. It didn't feel that good. It doesn't hurt now, just when I was running."

--Torii Hunter assessing the play of Angels teammate Hideki Matsui, who played the field for the first time since 2008, but who did not see any balls hit in his direction.
(Los Angeles Times)

"He's so far ahead of what he's supposed to be. It was supposed to be 10 months to a year, and we're only at seven months. He's doing very well. He's still far ahead of where he's supposed to be. What we're doing is making sure there's no setbacks. We want him to progress on a steady line, and he's been doing that so far."

--Mariners trainer Rick Griffin on the progress Erik Bedard after the pitcher missed a scheduled bullpen session.
(The Seattle Times)

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised. [Texas] is a really good situation for me. When you're sent to a team that really wants you and expects good things from you, it's good to know you're wanted."

"Roger was the first player he ever recruited. Everybody knows Roger was my idol growing up, and for him to compare me to him, I was like, 'What? Roger throws 100 mph and I throw 87.'

"But playing for Coach Graham changed me. He basically killed me, mentally and physically preparing me to move on in the game. He pounded into me the idea that I had a chance to do something [professionally], and in a matter of a year, I lost some of my baby fat, I got stronger, and I left there throwing 93 instead of 87."

--Andy Pettitte on Wayne Graham, who recruited Pettitte and, before him, Roger Clemens, to attend San Jacinto Junior College. Graham is now the head coach at Rice University.
(New York Daily News)

"It's either/or. It's either reestablish yourself and be one of the main guys, or just be a fourth outfielder from here on out."

--Ryan Church, on establishing himself as a starter in 2010.
(MLB.com)

"I've had some really bad springs before. Once that season comes, your adrenaline gets going, it's easier to focus, it's more meaningful. Just as long as I'm getting my pitches in."

"Everyone wants to help this team win, and that's what it's all about. Not to beat it into the ground, but I've said what I want to do is start. I'll put my heart into it, and we'll see what happens in the end."

--Jeff Samardzija, Cubs pitcher, on his desire to be a starter.
(MLB.com)

"Of course, that's your dream as a baseball player, but it's not right for right now. Hopefully, someday it will be. Just to know that I'm not far behind is pretty comforting. To see your goal is not that far away is pretty cool."

--Mets first base prospect Ike Davis talking about his dream of playing in the Major Leagues.
(New York Daily News)